Let’s emulate our KDF soldiers, President Kenyatta says

January 18, 2016 9:35 pm

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President Kenyatta addressed a public rally at Lango Baya in Malindi Constituency after he launched the Sh573 million Baricho Water project and inspected Weruni Technical and Vocational Training Institute that is under construction.

By KAZUNGU CHAI, MALINDI, Kenya, Jan 18 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to honour the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) by working together to develop the nation irrespective of tribal, religious or party affiliation.

He said the KDF soldiers fight side by side to protect the country’s borders without discrimination.

“When our soldiers fight to protect our country they do not ask of ones tribe but work together as Kenyans. We should emulate them and stand together as Kenyans for the country’s success,” President Kenyatta said.

He spoke Monday when he addressed a public rally at Lango Baya in Malindi Constituency after he launched the Sh573 million Baricho Water project and inspected Weruni Technical and Vocational Training Institute that is under construction.

President Kenyatta disclosed that the water project will be completed by June next year while the vocational training institute will be ready to admit its first students in June this year.

The project, implemented through a partnership of the World Bank (Sh515.7 million) and the national government (Sh57.3 million), will benefit 200,000 people in Magarini, Malindi and Kilifi North constituencies. The project has also employed 100 residents for 18 months.

The Head of State also announced that the Malindi-Sala Gate road construction will begin in a few months time.

The President said: “The tender for the road will be out in February and within two months construction will start.”

“This road will improve transport, boost tourism, promote economic growth and create jobs for the people,” President Kenyatta, who inspected the road on his way to Lango Baya, said.
Speaking in support of the Kenyan soldiers in Somalia, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale said Kenya will not be cowed and will stand with the President in any move he takes against the terrorists.

“If you will revive the “KDF Linda Nchi” like the one that captured Kismayu, we will support you,” Duale said.

He added: “As the Majority leader in Parliament, we will stand with you even if you tell me to recall Parliament and you need any authorisation as per the Constitution.”

On politics, Duale said Cord short-changed the people of the Coast. He pointed out that although the Coast gave Cord 32 MPs, six Senators and six Governors, the only reward they received is Minority Whip position in the National assembly.

“Kalonzo Musyoka only brought 17 MPs, three Governors and four Senators but he was made co-principal in the Cord coalition,” he said.

Duale also said Moses Wetangula contributed eight MPs to the coalition and yet he too became a co-principal in Cord.

Other leaders who spoke at the public rally in Lango Baya emphasised the need for the people of the Coast to join Government through the Jubilee Party.

They praised the President’s record at the Coast, saying he has issued title deeds, built roads and initiated water projects.

Earlier, President Kenyatta stopped at Ganda, Kakuyuni and Kakoneni in Malindi Constituency to acknowledge greetings from hundreds of residents who had lined up the road.

Addressing them, the President said he has been working with the leaders of Kilifi and the entire Coast region even though they were elected on different parties because of his quest to serve all Kenyans irrespective of party affiliation. He said it was in this context that Mr Dan Kazungu was appointed to the Cabinet as the one in charge of the Mining docket.
“Your leaders have raised certain issues in Kilifi – water, roads and electricity topped the agenda,” the President said.

And he said work on those issues has already started: “Today we are going to break ground for the construction of the Baricho Water Supply project,” President Kenyatta said.

Coast Parliamentary Group Chairman Gideon Mung’aro, who is also the Kilifi North MP, thanked President Kenyatta for assuring the leaders and residents that the key road in the constituency will be built.

Cabinet Secretary Kazungu thanked President Kenyatta for appointing him to the Cabinet, saying it was a great honour to the people of Malindi and the Coast.